Signal device



Dec. 3, 1929. E. s. ANDERSON SIGNAL DEVICE Filed April 15'. 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. By

A TTOR EY Dec. 3, 1929. ,E. s. ANDERSON 1,737,631

SIGNAL DEVICE Filed April 15. 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

IIII/I/II/I/ I II-1111111! A TTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 3, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFien EMIL s.

ANDERfSON, 013 L ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR: OF ONE-FOURTH TO I. E. TRASK AND ONE-FOURTH TO W. H. HARTMAN, BOTH OF LOS ANGELES, CALI- FORNIA SIGNAL Application filed April 15,

My invention relates to signal devices designed for use on automobiles and other moving vehicles, and has more particular relation to that type of devices known as direction indicators, in which, by the selective positioning of a semaphore blade, the driver may give notice to the car or persons behind of his intentions to turn in either direction or to stop.

The object of the invention is to provide an electrically operated signaling device of the semaphore type, controlled by a manually operated switch device positioned at a distance from the signaling device, and in which the operating circuit is broken after the signal is set.

A further object is to provide a signaling device of the above character which is incorporated with a revolvable tail light.

Another object is to provide an illuminated semaphore signal blade combined with a revolvable tail light and illuminated by the lamp of said light.

Another object is to provide a signaling device in which the semaphore blade is set to different positions to indicate contemplated changes in the manipulation oi: the vehicle, combined with one means "for brea ring the operating current when said blade is set, and other means for releasing and normalizing the blade.

Another object is to provide a rcvolvable tail light combined with a semaphore direction indicating blade and having a single lamp for illuminating the tail light, the semaphore blade and a stationary license plate.

/Vith these and incidental objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combination of parts the essential elements of which are set forth in appended claims and a preferred form of embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form part of this specification.

Of the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the device.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 00 a9 of Fig. 2.

DEVICE 1920. Serial No. 374,011.,

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation with the cover plate removed.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view with part of the casing in section.

Fig. 6 is a detail side elevation of the cable sheave.

Fig. 7 is a plan section on line c0 00 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a detailed rear elevation of the revolvable tail light casing and retaining pawl taken on line w w of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a detailed section on line w 0a of Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the control switch.

Fig. 11 is a section on line 00 w of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a section on line a -0 of Fig. 10. I

Fig. 13 is a wiring diagram of the electrical connections and circuits.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the device comprises various operating mechanisms all contained in or supported on a casing designated in geneinl by the reference character 1. I More specifically the ea ing comprises a rectangular box-like housing having a base 2, sidewalls 3, 4 and "front wall 5. lhe rear wall 6 01 13118 box-like member constitutes a removable cover secured by screws or otherwise, to the base and side walls,

and provided with an orificed socket member 7 having screwthreaded therein a set screw 8. This structure provides means for attaching the entire indicating device upon a suitable bracket 9 secured to the body of an automobile, (see Fig. 2) in thev present instance this bracket being the standard automobile tail light bracket.

Attached to the housing I provide a cover plate 10 having a rounded upper portion, or dome, and forwardlyextending side plates 11, 12 and a front plate 18, the plate 12 being cut away, as shown in Fig. 2, torthe passage of a semaphore blade to be hereinafter described, and the front plate 13 having secured thereto a transverse plate 14 having spaced apertures 15, 16 to accommodate securing bolts 17, 17 securing a license plate 18 to the casing.

A tubular shaft 20 is rotatably ournaled in the cover plate 6 and the front wall 5 and has secured to its projecting end, a rotatably mounted member in the form of a cylindrical tail-light housing 21. (See Fig. 6.) The housing 21 has a suitable lamp socket 22 supported therein to accommodate a tail lamp 23. The socket and lamp are of the ordinary standard type used in tail lights and need not be specifically described herein in detail. One terminal of the socket is grounded, as at 24, and the other connects with an insulated lead wire 25 which is first looped, so that it will not twist tightly when the tail light housing is rotated, and then extends through the tubular shaft 20 to be connected in the usual manner with the ordinary lighting cir cuit of the automobile. A red lens 26 of the type usually employed in tail lights, is mounted in the outer end of the housing 21 and projecting radially from the housing is a hollow semaphore blade 27, which, as illustrated has a light transmitting front wall 28 formed of celluloid, glass or other suitable material, preferably having the characteristics of ground glass. The light transmitting front wall 28 is preferably disposed at a slight angle to the transverse plane of the tail light housing 21 (see Fig. 7) and the inner end of the hollow blade is open to the interior of the tail light housing, this construction permitting a portion of the light rays of the lamp to illuminate the blade, the angular front wall 28 directly intercepting a portion of such light rays to promote a more intense illumination. Near the tail light lens and in a plane beyond the license plate 18, the tail light housing 21 is provided with four rectangular apertures 29 relatively spaced at 90 degree intervals around the periphery of the housing and located to correspond to the set positions, that is, the indicating positions of the semaphore blade. In each set position of the blade and housing, the light from the tail lamp shines through said apertures to illuminate the license plate. In the normal position, the semaphore blade will be located between the wall 5 of the box-like housing and the front plate 13 of the cover plate 10 and will extend downwardly between the side plates 11, 12 of the cover plate (see Fig. 2) with the plate 13 shielding the blade from view. The tail light housing and semaphore blade are movable as a unit to three difi'erent indicating positions preferably of 90 degree separation; the first being in a horizontal plane the blade extending to the left (as shown in Fig. 1) indicating a contemplated left turn, the second being in vertical plane, the blade extending upwardly to indicate a contemplated stop, the third being in a horizontal plane, the blade extending to the right indicating a contemplated right turn. These semaphore blade positions may be variously modified to meet the specific requirements of various State or municipal ordinances, for

instance, some State regulations require a signal pointing downwardly at 45 degrees for a stop indication.

The mechanism utilized for setting the semaphore blade will now be described. A cable sheave 30 formed of fibre or other insulating material, has laterally extended hubs 3132 and is fixed to rotate with the tubular shaft 20 by a screw 33, (see Fig. 7) and anchored to and rove around the sheave is a cable 34, one end being attached to the armature core 35 of an actuating solenoid 36, supported within the main casing, the other end being rove around the hub 31 of the sheave (see Fig. 6) and attached to a normalizing spring 37, the opposite end of the spring being attached to the base 2 of the casing. Fig. 4.) Imbedded or mounted in the hub 31 of the sheave 30 is a round headed screw 38 and likewise imbedded or mounted in the hub 32 are two similar screws 39, 40. These screws extend only a short way into said hubs so that they do not become grounded on the tubular shaft 20, but the screw 33, being in engagement with said shaft is grounded. Commencing with the screw 33, these screws are spaced at 90 degree intervals around the hubs of the sheave (see Figs. 4 and 6) each acting as a cam to successively elevate certain contact blades as will now be described.

A fiber block 40 is secured to the upper edge of the side wall 4 of the box-like housing and secured by suitable terminal boltsto the upper surface of said insulating block is a series of contact blades 41, 42, 43, 44, each formed of spring metal and extending over and beyond the hubs 31, 32 of the sheave 30 in respective alinement with the cam screws 33, 38, 39, 40. These contact blades engage respectively with stationary contact terminals 45, 46, 47 48 (see Figs. 4 and 9) each adjustably supported in an insulating fibre block 49 secured to the top surface of the wall 3. Thus it will be evident that as the solenoid 36 rotates the sheave 30, and with it the tail-light housing and semaphore blade, the cam screws, will successively elevate the contact blades to break the various circuits which will later be described with reference to the wiring diagram.

To maintain the tail-light housing and the semaphore blade in set positions I provide a retaining means in the form of a detent pawl 50 having pivot stud 51 journaled in the front wall 5 of the box-like housing, (see Figs. 2, 4, and 8) and adapted to engage notches 52, 52, 52 cut in the inner peripheral edge of the tail-light housing in approxim ately spaced relation to the indicating portions of the semaphore blade. Secured to the pivot stud 51 of the pawl 50 is a lever 53. one end of which is attached to a spring 54 which serves to maintain the pawl. in engagement with the .notches 52, the opposite end being pivotally connected to a link 55 extending downwardly (See' and having a loose connection with an armature 56 of a release solenoid 57 which functions to withdraw the pawl from engagement with the notches 52.

Referring to Figs. 10, 11, and 12, the control switch which establishes the various operating circuits will now be described. This switch is located at a distance from the indicating signal device previously described, preferably on the dash or instrument board of the car, and comprises a base 60 of insulating material such as fibre, and a casing 61 having a cross shaped slot 62 through which a switch handle 63 projects and by which the i switch handle is guided in its movements.

Attached to the base 60 by a terminal bolt 64 is a U-shaped bracket 65 having relatively alined guide openings or hearings in its upturned ends. The movable switch member is of cross shape having opposed contact arms 66, 67 longitudinally slidable and also rotatable in the said bearings of the U-shaped bracket, and transversely opposed contact arms 68, 69. I provide a single contact corresponding to each circuit through the solenoid that closes a circuit through the entire length of the solenoid coil. For this purpose, by sliding the switch handle 63 in a horizontal direction in the slot 62 the contact arms 66, 67 will respectively engage stationary spring contacts 70, 71 and by rocking the handle in a vertical direction in said slot, the contact arms 68, 69 will respectively engage stationary spring contacts 7 2, 73, the contacts 70 to 7 3 being secured to the base 60 by terminal bolts as shown in Figs. 11, 12.

The switch handle 63, when moved to the right or left, will complete appropriate circuits to cause the signal device to function to display a respective right or left turn signal. The vertical movements of the switch handle may complete appropriate circuits, one to cause a stop signal to be displayed and the other to cause the set semaphore blade to be released preparatory to returning it to its normal position. In the present instance an upward movement of the switch handle will set the stop signal and a downward movement thereof will cause a release of the semaphore blade.

A. cable (Figs. 24) encases the circuit wires extending from the control switch to the indicating or signal device and suitable insulated terminals 7 6 are rovided to facilitate an installation of the evice.

lVith particular reference to the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 13 the operating and control circuits will now be specifically described.

The cross-shaped operating member of the control switch is connected by wire to one terminal of a source of electric energy, in the present instance being the battery 81, the opposite terminal of the battery being grounded at 82. The right switch contact 71 is connected by wire 83 to the contact blade 42 of the signal device, the left switch contact 70 being connected by wire 84 to the contact blade 44 the stop switch contact 73 connecting by wire 85 to the contact blade 43, and the release or neutral switch contact 7 2 connecting by wire 86 with one terminal of the release solenoid 57. The opposite terminal. of the solenoid 57 connects by wire 87 to the stationary contact terminal 45, the terminals 46, 47, 48 being connected by wire 88 to one terminal of the operating solenoid 36 ith the opposite terminal of said solenoid being grounded at 89. The contact blade 41 is grounded at 90.

This system of connections provides a plurality of partial circuits between the control switch and the signal device, connected in series with the operating solenoid and each separately connected to the source of electrical energy by operation of the control switch; and a release circuit including the grounded contact blade and the release solenoid, also connected to the source of electrical energy by movement of the control switch.

l -Jith the signal mechanism in normal condition, the contact blade 41 is elevated from contact with the terminal 45 by the first cam screw 33. This breaks the circuit to the re lease solenoid 57. Under this normal condition, if the driver of the vehicle contemplates turning to the right, he moves the switch handle 63 laterally in the right hand branch of the cross-slot of the switch casing. This movement slides the switch arm 67 into engagement with the switch contact 71. The operating circuit thus established is as follows: battery 81, wire 80 to switch arm 67, contact 7 1, wire 83, contact blade 42, contact terminal 46, wire 88 to solenoid 36, ground 89, ground 82 to battery. This circuit energizes the operating solenoid 36 causing it to rotate the tail-light housing and semaphore blade.

his movement continues until the second cam screw 38 cams the contact blade 42 up wardly out of engagement with the contact terminal 46, (see Fig. 6) at which time the semaphore blade is pointing horizontally to the right and the retaining pawl 50 has on gaged into the appropriate notch 52 in the tail-light housing, to maintain said housing and blade in set position. The breaking of the above traced circuit deenergizes the solenoid 36 so that, after a predetermined signal has been set no further consumption of electrical energy is required until a succeeding operation.

As soon as the cam screw 33 of the contact blade 41 moves from normal position, said blade contacts with the contact terminal 45 to establish a partial circuit from ground 90 to contact blade 41, terminal 45, wire 87 solenoid 57, wire 86 to contact 72 of the control switch, so that, if the switch handle 63 is next moved to release or go position, this partial circuit is then completed through switch arm 68, wire 80 to battery 81 which is grounded zit-8Q. This circuit energizes the release solenoid 57 for the purpose of trip ping the retaining pawl 50. Upon the re lease of said retaining pawl, the tail light housing and semaphore blade will be normalized by the spring 37 acting through the cable 34 and sheave 30.

If the operator next contemplates a stop, he moves the switch handle 63 vertically upward in the upward branch of the cross-slot. This rocking movement brings the contact arm 69 into engagement with the spring contact 73 completing the operating circuit as folio vs battery 81, wire 80, to switch arm 69, contact- 73, wire 35, contact blade d3, contact terminal 47, wire 88 to solenoid 36, ground 89,

ground 82 to battery. This circuit energizes the operating solenoid 36, which functions, as above explained, to rotate the tail-light housing and semaphore blade. When said semaphore blade reaches a vertical stop inclicatingposition, the third cam screw 39, on the sheave hub 32, will have come into position to elevate the contact blade 43 from the contact terminal 47 to break the operating circuit, the retaining pawl 50 having by this time engaged into the second notch 52 of the tail-light housing.

A movement oi the switch handle to the left for a contemplated left turn signal setting, engages the switch arm 66 with the sorin contact 70 to similarl 7 com lete an l a 7 operating circuit from the battery 81 by wire 80 to switch arm 66, spring contact 70, wire 84-, contact blade a l, contact terminal 48, wire 88 to solenoid 36, ground 89, ground 82 to battery. This circuit energizes the oper ating solenoid 36 which operates as above explained to rotate the tail-light housing and set the semaphore blade. This operation continues until the fourth cam screw d0 elevates the contact blade 44 (see Fig. 6) to break the operating circuit at terminal 48, at which time the semaphore blade has reached a position pointing to the left and the retaining pawl 50 has engaged the appropriate notch 52 to maintain the blade in set position.

. It will thus be understood that the positioning of the switch handle in any one of the three indicating positions will complete a circuit to the operating solenoid 36 and that as the semaphore blade arrives in the selected signaling position, the operating circuits will be broken by the elevating of the appropriate contact blade by its cam screw, and also that when the switch handle is moved downwardly, or to the go position, the release circuit will be completed to energize the release solenoid 57 to trip the retaining pawl 50 after which the spring 37 will normalize the semaphore blade.

While I have described the light housing 21 as a tail-li 'ht housing it is to be under such that in all positions at least one of said.

apertures will face the license plate.

I claim:

1. in a signal device'to be used with a sigailing switch and ditlerent signal circuits, the combination of a rotary member carrying semaphore, a solenoid having a core connected with the semaphore to rotate the same, a plurality of relatively fixed contacts connected to the solenoid and corresponding to the dii'lerent signalling circuits, a plurality of n'iovable contacts cooperating with the fixed contacts to close circuits through the solenoid, automatic means "for separating the movable conta rrom the corresponding fixed contacts n }octively when the semaphore arrivcs the indicating position corresponding with that contact, and operating to limit the movement of the semaphore by the solenoid, and detent means with means for holding the same constantly in engagement with the rotary member while rotating to check a retn movement oi the semaphore, and operto hold the semaphore in the indicating tion, and means for releasing the detent. 2. In a signal device for use with a signalling switch and a plurality of signalling circ s, the combination of a rotary member carrying a semaphore, a solenoid having a core connected with the semaphore to rotate the same, a plurality of relatively fixed contacts corresponding to the said circuits and connected to the solenoid, a plurality of relatively movable contacts to cooperate with the lifted cont-acts to energize the solenoid and cllect a movement of the semaphore by the core into an indicating position, automatic means for moving each movable contact when the semaphore arrives at its indicating position, operating to break the corresponding signal circuit and limit the movement of the semaphore by the solenoid, means for exerting a force on the semaphore to return the same to its normal. position, detent means with means for holding the same in engagement with the rotary member while rotating, and operating to check return movement and hold the SBHHUP'AOZ'Q in its indicating position, and a solenoid for controlling the detent means by the said switch to release the detent means and thereby permit the return of the semaphore to its normal position. a

3. In a signal device to be used with a signalling switch and different signalling circuits, the combination of a rotary member carrying a semaphore, a solenoid having a core connected with the sema ahore to rotate the same, a spring also connected with the semaphore, exerting its force in a direction to return the semaphore to its normal position, a plurality of relatively fixed contacts connected to the solenoid and corresponding to the difierent signalling circuits, movable contacts corresponding respectively to the fixed contacts, means for separating the contacts to open the circuit in different positions of the semaphore and open the circuit when the semaphore arrives at its indicating position corresponding to that movable contact and thereby limit the move ment of the semaphore by the solenoid, detent means with means for constantly holding the same in engagement with the rotary member While rotating, and operating to checlr return movement and hold the semaphore in the in dicating position, and a solenoid iEor controlling the detent means by the switch to release the same, said spring operating to return the semaphore to its normal position when the detent means is released.

a. In a signal device to be used with a signalling switch and different signalling circuits, the combination of a semaphore, a solenoid having a core connected with the semaphore to rotate the same, a spring also connected with the semaphore, exerting its force in a direction to return the semaphore to its normal position, a plurality of relatively fixed contacts and cooperating movable contacts connected to the semaphore, and corresponding to the signal circuits, automatic means for separating each movable contact from its fixed contact in a corresponding position of the semaphore and thereby breaking each circuit to arrest the movement of the semaphore by the solenoid when the semaphore arrives at its indicating position corresponding to that contact, said semaphore having a cylindrical part rotating therewith, a detent pawl adj acent to the cylindrical part, said cylindrical part having notches cooperating with the detent pawl to hold the semaphore in its indicating positions, a spring for holding the pawl constantly in engagement with the notches while the cylindrical part is rotating, and a solenoid for controlling the detent pawl controlled by the switch to release the pawl, said spring operating to return the semaphore to its normal position when the detent pawl is released.

5. In a signal device, to be used with a signal switch and difierent signalling circuits, the combination of a rotary member carrying a semaphore, an insulating sleeve mounted to rotate with the semaphore, a solenoid having a core connected with the semaphore to rotate the same, means connected with the semaphore for rotating the same back to its normal position, a plurality of relatively fixed contacts with cooperating movable contacts connected to the solenoid and corresponding to the different signal circuits, said insulating sleeve having means corresponding to each of said movable contacts for moving the same to open its corresponding circuit when the semaphore arrives at its indicating position corresponding to that contact, detent means with means for holding the same in engagement with the rotary member while rotating, and operating to check return movement and hold the semaphore in its indicating positions, and

means for controlling the detent means.

6. In a signalling device to be used with a signalling switch and different signal circuits, the combination of a rotary member carrying a semaphore, a solenoid having a,

coil with a core connected with the semaphore to rotate the same, a slngle closing contact at the switch corresponding to each slgnal circuit, a plurallty o1 relatively fixed contacts corresponding to the different signal.

circuits, and connected to the solenoid to close any one of the signal circuits through the en tire length of the solenoid coil, a plurality of movable contacts cooperting with the fixed contacts, automatic means for separating the,

movable contacts from their corresponding fixed contacts respectively when the semaphore arrives at the indicating position cor responding to that contact, and operating to limit the movement of the semaphore by the solenoid, detent means constructed to check the semaphore against return movement with means for holding the same constantly in engagement with the rotary member while rotating, and operating to hold the semaphore;

in a direction to return the semaphore to its.

normal position, a single closing contact at the switch corresponding to each signal circuit, a plurality of relatively fixed contacts connected to the solenoid, a plurality of relatively movable contacts corresponding to each signal circuit connected to the solenoid to close any one of the different signal circuits through the entire length of the coil, means for separating the contacts in difi'erent posit-ions of the semaphore to open the circuit when the semaphore arrives at its indicating position corresponding to that movable contact, and thereby limit the movement of the semaphore by the solenoid, detent means constructed to check the semaphore against return movement, with means for constantly holding the same in engagement with the rotary member while rotating and operating to hold the semaphore in the indicating position, and a solenoid for controlling the detent means by the switch to release the same, said spring operating to return the semaphore to its normal position when the detent means is released.

8. In a signal device to be used with a signalling switch and different signalling circuits, the combination of a semaphore, a solenoid having a coil with a core connected to the semaphore to rotate the same, a spring also connected to the semaphore for exerting its force in a direction to return the semaphore to its normal position, a single closing contact at the switch corresponding to each signal circuit, a plurality of relatively fixed contacts corresponding to the signal circuits and cooperating movable contacts connected to the semaphore to close each signal circuit through the entire length of the coil, automatic means for separating each movable contact from its fixed contact in a correspond ing position of the semaphore and thereby break each signal circuit to arrest the movement of the semaphore by the solenoid when the semaphore arrives at its indicating position corresponding to that contact, said semaphore having a cylindrical part rotating therewith, a detent pawl adjacent to the cylindrical part, said cylindrical part having notches cooperating with the detent pawl. to hold the semaphore in its indicating positions, a spring for holding the pawl constantly in engagement with the cylindrical part while it is rotating, and a solenoid for controlling the detent pawl controlled by the switch to release the pawl, said spring operating to return the semaphore to its normal position when the detent pawl is released.

9. In a signalling device, the combination of a rotary member carrying a semaphore, a solenoid having a core, means connecting the same to the semaphore to rotate the semaphore, a plurality of signalling circuits all of which pass through the solenoid coil, a switch capable of closing any one of said circuits, automatic means for breaking each circuit when the semaphore arrives at its indicating position corresponding to that circuit, and detent means constructed to check the semaphore against return movement, with means for holding the detent means constantly in engagement with the rotary member while the same is rotating and operating to hold the semaphore in the indicating position.

10. In a signal device, the combination of a rotary member carrying a semaphore, a solenoid having a coil and a core connected with the semaphore to rotate the same, a plurality of signalling circuits passing through the coil, a switch capable of closing any one of said circuits to energize the coil and effect a movement of the semaphore by the core into an indicating position, automatic means for breaking the circuit through the solenoid coil when the semaphore arrives at its indicating position and operating to limit the movement oi. the semaphore by the core, means 'for exerting a force on the semaphore to return the same to its normal position, detent means constructed to check the semaphore against return movement, with means for holding the same constantly in engagement with the rotary member while the same is rotating, and operating to hold the semaphore in its indicating position, a solenoid for controlling the detent means and a circuit passing through the last named solenoid and controlled by the said switch for releasing the detent means to permit the return of the semaphore to its normal position.

Signed at Los Angeles, California, this 18th day of December, 1919.

EMIL S. ANDERSON. 

